The Office of the Dean of Students
Eric E. Hartman, Dean of Students
Alex Bruce, Associate Dean of Students for Campus Life
Mary Beth Walker, Assistant Dean of Students for Residential Life
The Student Life Division believes that holistic human development requires a constant inquiry of meaningful questions. We ask our students to consider:
- Who am I?
- What are my gifts?
- What is my place in the world?
Who is responsible for student life?
The Dean of Students is the chief student affairs officer in the College of Arts and Sciences and is charged with encouraging and facilitating a respectful and collegial campus environment which promotes the social, intellectual, and psychological development of the undergraduate members of the University community.
Among the many areas of concern for the Dean of Students’ Office are the following:
- Freshman orientation and advising
- The Proctor and Assistant Proctor Programs
- Student housing, room selection, and roommate concerns
- Campus safety and security
- Sexual harassment
- Social functions and policies
- Fraternity and sorority matters
- Health and counseling services
- Food services
- Handicapped student concerns
- Class attendance and excused absences
- Disciplinary infractions
- Student leadership development
The Dean of Students chairs the Student Life Cabinet, which consists of an Associate and Assistant Dean of Students, the Directors of all offices in the student affairs divisions (Student Activities, Minority Affairs, Career Services, Counseling Services, Health Services, the Outing Program, and Residential Life) and several members of the University Chaplaincy. The cabinet serves as a collaborative, advisory body, mutually cooperating in and supporting the programs and services of the various offices in the student affairs division and advising and assisting the Deans of Students in appropriate projects and programs.
Minority Student Affairs
Eric V. Benjamin, Director
In furtherance of the University mission to develop the whole person through a liberal arts education of high quality, the Office of Minority Student Affairs is responsible for providing programs, activities, and general support for students of color. This office provides leadership in the development of successful programs, principles and practices regarding recruitment and retention also. To make the college experience for all students in the college as successful and as meaningful as possible, this office works to structure programs and activities to further enrich the entire Sewanee community.
A student body, curriculum, and faculty that reflect the diversity of our society are important features of each student's college education. Furthermore, diversity in higher education helps students to compete successfully in an increasingly global marketplace. Students who learn in diverse classrooms are more likely to feel comfortable interacting with people, in important aspects of their lives, different from themselves. The Office of Minority Student Affairs works to help make the understanding and appreciation of diversity a meaningful component of the education and experiences offered by the college.
